Method of and apparatus for treating tobacco



C. L. REED 6 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed July 14, 1959 l l I I l I l l l l l l l l l l I I llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllflllflllllllllllll OCOGOOOOOO '0. 1.. REED March 14, 1944.

METHOD OF AND APPARATU FOR TREATING TOBACCO 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1939 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO gvwmm C. 0C .Quob

i am March 14, 1944. REED 2,344,106

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TOBACCO Filed July 14, 1939- 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 To Paassuraa SUPPLY To Paassuaz SUPPLY 21 24 3'; vac 141011 STE /mg March 14, 1944. c R D. 2,344,106

' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TOBACCO Filed July 14, 19:59 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 14, 1944. c. L. REED 2,344,106

METHOD OF 'AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TOBACCO Filed July 14, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ilb cfL. REED March 14, 1944.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TOBACCO Filed July 14, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet. 6

2 o a o a o o o o o 0 o o Patented Mar. 14, 1944 I METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TOBACCO Charles L. Reed, Richmond, Va., asslgnor to Lax-us a Brother Company, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application july 14, 1939, Serial No. 284,541

. 17 Claims.

Heretofore the conditioning of leaf tobacco generally included removal of the stem from the remaining portion of the leaf, either by machine or hand, the stem being removed substantially wholly or in part, depending upon the size and type 01' the leaf. Ordinarily, in flue-cured tobacco the major portion of the stem was left within the leaf. If the tobacco leaf had been previously redried, it went directly to the manufacturer; if not, it was redried and put away or stored for aging until time for use.

The stems removed from the leaf were generally put through a threshing or breaking machine, which broke each stem and removed particles of tobacco therefrom, which particles were used along with the regular tobacco. It was the practice of a large number of manufacturers to separate the smaller stems from the larger and pass the larger stems between high pressure rollers, after which they were mixed with the regular tobacco and used in varying proportions, usually to a greater extent in cheaper grades of tobacco than in higher priced grades.

As far as known, no method of manufacture of tobacco has heretofore been devised whereby it has been rendered practical to use all of the stems in the final product, nor even a portion of the stems without lowering the quality of the product. This was due to the fact that, as a general rule, rolled stems have a tendency to powder too much, resulting in fine dust or scrap in the finished product and, in the case of cig arettes, too muchshort tobacco. Also the stems when rolled become hardened and the surfaces thereof glazed which makes it extremely difficult for the stems to absorb treating solutions or fiavorings and as a result are di-mcult to keep in proper order. Another objection which resulted in the lowering of the quality of the final product was the difilculty, when blending more than one product together, to maintain an equal distribution of the blends throughout the finished product.

to provide a method of and apparatus for treating tobacco, and more specifically the stems thereof while the latter remain in the leaf and in a manner such as to improve the quality of the stems, thereby not only increasing the yield from a given quantity of tobacco but also improving the final product with respect to that heretofore used and embodying a portion of the stem. Briefly, the method as-practiced consists in subjecting the stem, while in the leaf. to a treating gas or fluid under relatively high pressure, such and then suddenly releasing the pressure to in effect explode or expand the stem, thereby rendering the stem capable of absorbing treating solutions and flavoring and permitting the stem to be used in its entirety while remaining in the leaf. Experiments have shown that this treatment permits use of the leaf in its entirety, or including the stem, without detracting from the quality of the finished product, and in fact the finished product may for certain purposes be improved, depending upon the particular tastes of the user. From a standpoint of economy, this method saves expense of stemming, threshing the stems. separately treating or exploding the stems and thereafter remixing the rolled stems with the'finished product. Furthermore, a balanced product is assured.

The stem when so treated has an expanded appearance and becomes flufiy and light, the stem being readily impregnable by treating solutions, flavoring or the like. The stem in such expanded condition can be readily rolled fiat to the thickness of a leaf, and in fact may be pressed flat and thin between the fingers.

While the treating gas or fluid is preferably applied under high pressure to ensure penetration into the stem, it is theoretically conceivable that the stem could be artificially expanded while on the leaf simply by absorption, or by freezin and thawing, the purpose being primarily to expand or explode the stern while intact with the leaf to condition, or facilitate conditioning of the leaf in its entirety, or including the stem.

It has heretofore been proposed to expand by gas treatment the tobacco leaf or strip with the An important object of the present invention is object of causing the leaf to occupy a greater volume of space in the finished product. An objectionable feature of this method was that the cells in the strip or leaf were ruptured or exploded, resulting in the loss of certain constituents which are of importance from a standpoint of flavor and aroma of the tobacco in its natural state. The present method, as disclosed herein, obviates this objectionable feature.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages not specifically stated herein will become apparent in view of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 1a constitute a view in side elevation of a type of apparatus which may be used in carrying out the present method;

Figure 1b is a cross section on the line lb-lb, Figure l;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line 2--2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail horizontal section taken through one of the guide pulleys and the hollow flexible pressure-communicating member or belt trained thereover, particularly illustrating the manner in which air or gas under pressure is conducted to the chamber in said belt.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a-portion of one of the stem-chamber-forming belts and its coacting pressure-communicating belt together with periodically registering valve members for conducting air or gas under pressure from the latter belt to the stem chamber.

Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the central portion of Fig. 2 to more clearlyillustrate the action of the stem-chamber-forming belt stretches when in chamber-forming'position;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of one of the stem-chamber-forming belts; and

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of the rear portion of the apparatus. particularly-illustrating the frame structure and main drive.

The apparatus is constructed ina manner such that the tobacco, in leaf form, may have the stem thereof subjected to an impregnating gas under high pressure without impregnating the leaf and without stripping the stem from the leaf. It is desirable that the machine or apparatus be capable of carrying out these important functions in order to conform to the spirit of the method.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the frame of the machine is generally indicated at 5 and has mounted thereon a series of pulleys Illa, llib, lllc, id and I la, llb, llc, Ild which have trained thereover coacting conveyor and stem-chamberforming belts l2 and i3. These belts are of similar construction and are shown in section in Figs. 2 and 5, the outer surfaces of said belts each being formed with a series of longitudinally extending, transversely partitioned grooves Na and Nb, note Fig. 6, which are adapted to mate as stretches of the conveyor belts come together in tobacco leaf conveying relation and form a complete closed and sealed chamber l4 adapted-to receive the stem of a tobacco leaf with portions of the leaf proper gripped between the adjacent meeting surfaces of the belts. The belts l2 and 13 are provided with a series of cam-engaging trunnions or bearing rollers l5 which are adapted to engage cam strips in the form of angles l3, l6a, l1 and Ma. These cam strips operate to move the contiguous surfaces of the belts l2 and I3 together under pressure and bring the compartments l4bl4a in sealed or air-tight chamber-forming relation.

It is important that the belts l2 and I3 move in synchronism, and accordingly, any selected one of the pulleys over which they are trained may be provided with synchronizing teeth, as indicated at IS on the pulley llid and at I! on the pulley lld.

A stem-treating fluid such as air or gas, or a mixture of air and gas, may be admitted under pressure to the chamber or compartment II defined by the recesses l4b-l4a by the following described mechanism:

A series of pulleys 2la, 2lb, 2lc and 2ld. are provided and have trained thereover chambered flexible belting 22 and 23, each of which is formed with a continuous chamber 24, 24a. In order to insure against loss of pressure from these chambers, the latter may be provided with a suitable. flexible air or gas-tight lining such as indicated 2ld are provided with a series of teeth in which synchronizing rollers or trunnions 26 mounted on the belts are adapted to engage.

Fig. 3 illustrates a means whereby the impregnating gas or fluid under pressure may be communicated to the chambers 24 and 24a. Any selected pair of the pulleys 2 la -2 Id may be formed with an inlet port 21 in the axis thereof to which a suitable source of air or gas, or a mixture thereof may be connected, the chamber or passage 2! communicating through port 23 with an annular chamber 29. A valve port 30 is formed in the outer wall of the chamber 29 and has mounted therein a valve 3|, said valve being normally urged to its seat by spring 32. Each of the belts 22, 23 is formed with a series of ports 33 which are normally closed by valve 34 provided with a spring 35 and a stem 38 mounted for reciprocation in a guide 31 forming part of a valve assembly generally indicated at 33.

Each belt 22, 23 carries a series of the valves 33, note particularly Fig. 4, each valve comprising a valve housing formed with an inlet port 33a which communicates with the chamber 24 or 24a of the belt to which the valve is connected. The outer end of each valve is provided with a springpressed release valve 38b carrying a contact member 38c adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of valve actuating members 33 carried by the belts l2 and I3 andhaving formed therethrough a port or passage 33a communicating with the stem chambers l4 of said belt. The pulleys Illa, lOb, llld, and lid are grooved to permit the valve actuating members 39 to pass over said pulleys without damage or strain on co-acting parts, note Fig. 1b.

In order to insure valve releasing and sealing pressure when the valves 38 register with the actuating members 39, cams 40 and 4| are mounted adjacent the path of travel of the belts 22 and 23, and eachyalve 33 has mounted thereon a cam roller 42 adapted to engage the cams 43 and 4|, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1-141, and Fig. 2.

To provide for sudden release of the pressure, cams 43 and 44 are provided, note particularly Fig. 1a, adjacent the ends of the cams 40 and 4| and are adapted to engage the cam rollers 42 of the valves 33 and move the latter clear of the members 39, note position in Fig. 4.

The drive on the apparatus may be continuous or intermittent. In the present instance the drive is illustrated as being of the intermittent type, note Fig. 7. A Geneva gear 43 is mounted on a shaft 46 having bearing in the frame of the machine, said gear connecting through sprocket chain 41 with a gear 43 mounted on shaft 43 carrying toothed pulley 2lc. The gear 43 is in mesh with gear 50 secured on one end of shaft II, the opposite end of said shaft being provided with a gear 52 in mesh with gear 63 secured on shaft 54 and which latter shaft carries the pulley lfld. This takes care of the drive of the upper belts l2 and 22. To transmit the drive to the lower belt 23, a gear 55 is secured on shaft 49 and connects through sprocket chain 56 with a gear 51 secured on shaft 33 having the Pulley 2ld mounted thereon. Shaft 53 also has gear 83 secured thereto which is in mesh with gear 30 mounted on the one end of shaft ii, the opposite end of the latter shaft being provided with gear 32 in mesh with gear 63, secured on shaft 34 which carries the pulley ll d. In this manner the drive is transmitted to the belt II. The priat 25. To insure synchronism, the pulleys 2lcmary drive may be taken from a line shaft or other suitable source of power by means of belt 68 which connects to a pulley 68 mounted on shaft 81, the latter having secured thereon inth leaves may be fed individually between thestem chamber recesses Ha, Mb as the latter pass between the pulleys lllb and lib. As the leaf stem-expanding operation. After the stems have been expanded, the leaves may be redried and advances between the contiguous stretches of the belts l2 and I3, the cam strips I6, I60, 11, am

act on the rollers l5 and cause the meeting surfaces of said belts to come together in sealing relation with the chamber 14 encompassing the stem portion only of the leaf and a portion of the leaf on opposite sides of the stem grippedv between the belts. Since these belts are of flexible or.

yielding material, the leaf is not damaged while at the same time the chamber I 4 is effectively,

sealed against leakage of fluid or gas pressure.

The belts 22 and 23 carrying the valves 38 are driven in synchronlsm with the belts I2 and I3, so

that the outer end of each valve 38 will accurately register with each valve actuating or release member 39; and when the valves 38 register with the members 39, the latter unseat the valve proper 38b, permitting the stem treating fluid or gas to pass, under pressure, from the chamber 24 throughthe port 38a and 39a into the stem chamber l4, note Fig. 4 in'coniunction with Figs. l-la. The impregnating gas is now acting on the stem of the leaf and will so act until the belt stretches reach the cams 43-44, whereupon the valves38 are moved clear of the valve actuating members 39, permitting the stem treating gas or fluid to suddenly escape from the chamber H, while at the same time the valve 38b seats and prevents escape of the treating medium fr0m the chambers 24, 24a of the belts 22 and 23. During the time in which the stem of the leaf is subjected to relatively high pressure, the fluid medium impregnates the stem, and when the pressure is suddenly released, .the medium acts in a well known manner to suddenly pass outwardly through the porous constituents of the stem and expand or explode said constituents l lowever, since the stem is trapped in the chamber l4, it will not break down or be broken up in minute particles nor will it become detached from the leaf, particularly since the pressure is' released substantially simultaneously on all sides of the stem.

After the stem-expanding operation takes place, the leaf travels onwardly as viewed in Fig. la and is discharged from the chamber l4 onto chute 69 as the belt stretches pass around the pulleys Hid, lid.

The capacity of the machine may be stepped up by utilizing a battery of machines arranged side by side, or a series of pulleys and belts may be mounted on the same axes or shafts and the entire battery fed by one attendant if manual feeding is utilized.

Prior to feeding the leaves into the machines, assuming the leaves have been dried or cured, they may be moistened to prevent breaking or cracking of the leaf and to better facilitate the stored'for subsequent use, or may be conditioned for immediate use.

In utilizing stem expanded tobacco in accordance with the present method, the stems may be rolled or flattened to a. thickness approximating the thickness of the leaf, and due to the light, fluffy condition of the stem and the fact that the stem is rendered porous and readily impregnable by expansion treatment, the stem may be readily treated or caused to absorb solutions or flavorings, nor are there any hard particles in the stem, the stem in effect simulating the tobacco leaf.

No attempt has been made herein to list all of the advantages of the method, it being understood that other features of advantage and superiority result therefrom. Furthermore, other types of apparatus may be utilized in carrying out the method and certain changes in structure and design of the apparatus herein illustrated may be adopted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A tobacco leaf having an artificially expanded stemintact with the leaf,'the leaf being 'unexpanded, said expansion being in all directions laterally of the longitudinal axis of the stem.

'2. Tobacco in cured form comprising leaves having the stem portions only thereof in artificially expanded condition, said expansion being in all directions laterally of the longitudinal axis of the'stem.

3. The method of treating tobacco which consists in subjecting thestem portion only of the tobacco while in the leaf solely to the action of a fluid or gaseous medium to expand the stem.

4. The method of treating tobacco which, consists in subjecting the stem portion only of the tobacco leaf solely to the action of a fluid or gaseous medium under pressure while the stem I remains intact in the leaf, and then suddenly releasing said pressure to expand or swell the stem.

5. The method of treating tobacco which consists in impregnating the stems of the tobacco leaves with a fluid or gaseous medium under pressure while the stems are in the leaves and without substantially affecting the leaves, then suddenly releasing the pressure to expand or swell the stem.

6. The method of treating tobacco which consists in enclosing the stem portion only of a tobacco leaf in a substantially air-tight compartment or chamber while' the stem is in the leaf, applying a fluid or gaseous medium under pressure to said chamber 'to impregnate the stem, and then suddenly releasing the said medium from said chamber to explode or swell the stem.

7. The method of treating tobacco which consists in enclosing the stem portion only of a tobacco leaf within a confined chamber and while the stem is intact in the leaf, injecting a fluid or gaseous medium into the chamber and impregnating the leaf with said medium, and thereafter suddenly releasing said pressure to expand or explode the leaf, the stem being-trapped in said chamber to prevent disintegration of the stem and detachment from the leaf.

8. Apparatus for treating tobacco leaves to expand the stems thereof comprising means adapt- 4- macros a chamber for the stem portion of the leaf, means for communicating a fluid or gaseous medium under pressure to said chamber, and means for suddenly relieving said pressure to swell or expand the stem.

9. Apparatus for treating tobacco in leaf form to expand the stems of the leaves, comprising means forming a closed and sealed chamber for the stem portion -of the leaf with the major portion of the leaf exterior of said chamber, and means for communicating a fluid or gaseous medium to said chamber to expand the stem portion of the leaf.

10. Apparatus for treating tobacco in leaf form to expand the stems thereof, comprising means adapted to engage opposite sides of a leaf including a pair of recessed members with the recesses thereof mating to form a closed chamber for the stem portion of the leaf, and means for communicating a fluid or gaseous medium to said chamber to expand the stem.

ll. Apparatus for treating tobacco in leaf form to expand the stems thereof comprising travel ing conveyors having recessed members adapted to intermittently mate and form a chamber for the stem portion only of the leaf, means for communicating a fluid or gaseous medium under pressure to said chamber, and means for suddenly relieving said pressure to swell or expand the stem.

12. Apparatus for treating tobacco in leaf form to expand the stems thereof comprising an endless traveling member having a fluid chamber therein, means synchronized with said traveling member provided with elongated recessed portions adapted to mate to form a series of fluid pressure chambers for receiving the stem portions only of the leaves, means for communicating fluid under pressure to the chambers of said traveling member and thence into the stemreceiving chamber, and means for suddenly. relieving the pressure from said stem chamber to swell or expand the stem.

13. Apparatus for treating tobacco in leaf form to expand the stems thereof comprising a pair of endless conveyors each having a portion thereof adapted to move in contiguous relation throughout a portion of the travel of the conveyors, said conveyors being provided with elongated recesses adapted to mate when stretches of the conveyors move in contiguous relation and form a closed chamber for receiving the stem portions of the leaves, means for communicating fluid under pressure to said stem receiving chambers, means for backing up the contiguous stretches of the conveyors to thereby prevent displacement of said contiguous portions under pressure and ensure sealing of said stem chambers, and means for suddenly relieving pressure from the stem chambars to cause the stems therein to swell or expand.

14. Apparatus for treating tobacco in leaf form to expand the stems thereof comprising a pair of endless flexible conveyors having stretches thereof adapted 'to move in contiguous relation throughout a portion of the travel of the conveyors, the surfaces of said conveyors which move in contiguous relation being formed with elongated recesses adapted to mate and form a complete chamber for the stem portions of the leaves, cam members backing up the contiguous stretches of the conveyors and operating to move the recesses into tight, sealed chamber forming relation, means for communicating a fluid or gaseous medium to the stem chambers so formed. means for suddenly relieving the pressure in the stem chambers causing the stems to swell or expand, and means operating to relieve the backing up pressure of said conveyors and permit the stem recesses to successively move apart whereupon the stem and leaf are discharged by said conveyors.

15. Apparatus for treating tobacco to expand the stems thereof comprising a pair of endless flexible conveyors, means mounting said conveyors wherebystretches thereof move in contiguous relation throughout a portion of the travel of said conveyors, the exterior surfaces of said conveyors being formed with elongated recesses adapted to mate along the contiguous stretch run of the conveyors and form a series of closed and sealed chambers for receiving the stem portions of the leaves, cam members mounted adjacent the contiguous stretch run of the conveyors and operating to back up said stretches and tightly close and seal said chambers, means traveling in synchronism with said conveyors for communicating a fluid or gaseous medium under pressure to the stem chambers,

means for suddenly releasing the fluid medium from said stem chambers to cause the stems to swell or expand, and means operating to move the contiguous stretches of the conveyors apart and permit removal of the leaves from the conveyors.

16. Apparatus for treating tobacco to expand the stems thereof comprising a pair of endless flexible conveyors, means mounting said conveyors whereby stretches thereof move in contiguous relation throughout a portion of the travel of said conveyors, the meeting surfaces of said conveyors being formed with elongated recesses adapted to mate along the contiguous stretch run of the conveyors and form a series of closed and sealed chambers for receiving the stem portions of the leaves, cam members mounted adjacent the contiguous stretch run of the conveyors and operating to back up said stretches and tightly close and seal said chambers, a continuous flexible member traveling in synchronism with each of said conveyors and having a continuous chamber therein, said flexible member being provided with valved ports for admitting a fluid medium to said continuous chamber, exhaust valves connected to said endless flexible member, said conveyors being provided with a series of ports communicating with said stem chambers and having valve actuating members around said latter ports adapted to register with and open said valves and permit fluid under pressure to pass from said continuous chamber to said stem chambers, and

means for releasing said valves from said latter ports to permit the fluid medium to suddenly pass from said stem chambers.

17. The method of treating tobacco while in leaf form with the stems in the leaves, which consists in artificially subjecting the stems only 

